SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is arguably one of the scariest situations in early parenthood.
Because of the risk of SIDS and/or suffocation, health professionals advise parents to lay their baby on their backs to sleep and keep their baby's crib, bassinet, and any other sleeping area free from blankets, sheets, comforters, quilts, etc to avoid possible suffocation and death. The hazard is, babies have the ability to pull covers over their head and also to roll onto their stomachs before they have much neck strength/control and the ability to roll from their stomachs to their backs.
This leaves with parents with the concern that their infant may get to cold at night and a chilly baby is a baby that might be fussier, cry more, sleep less, and possibly even have a higher chance of getting an illness.
The perfect solution? Sleep sacks.
Sleep sacks are wearable blankets created for newborns, infants, and now new versions with leg wholes are even available for toddlers. Brands include the "zzZipMe Sack," "Swaddle Sack," and the "Halo Sleep Sack."
Fabric options include: basic cotton, cotton/flannel, fleece, and velvet. Closures are usually zipper, but sometimes snap closures are available. And, of course, countless colors and designs are available.
This is such a great idea. My personal recommendation is to be familiar with ways to reduce the risk of SIDS and purchase/register for both lightweight cotton and more heavy duty fleece sleep sacks. Sizes should correlate to how big your baby will be during the different seasons. For example if your baby is born in the winter, get a smaller size in the heavy fleece fabric, and a larger size in the cotton for when baby is bigger in the spring. For more information on SIDS, visit: http://www.sids.org/.
Trader Joe's Soft Multigrain Rustico Bread is definitely worth trying. I love how this bread is very hearty and very soft at the same time. The top of the bread is covered in rolled oats, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds, giving it a crunchy bite to contrast with the soft interior of each slice. The bread is also made with molasses and heart healthy flax (rich in omega-3s). It has 6% of daily recommended iron and 4grams of dietary fiber. Plus, no artificial colors or flavors. Great served fresh or toasty!
More and more health care providers are recommending that women who want to have children prepare their bodies with a pre-conception diet packed with folic acid (folate), antioxidants, and ovulation-regulating foods for 3 to 6 months before they begin trying to conceive. Upon much reading and researching about pre-conception nutrition, I've discovered these fertility super foods:
1. Wild Caught Salmon. Omega Bliss! Omega-3s benefit a baby's brain and nervous system development and reduces risk of premature birth.
2. Plant-Based Protein : Nuts, Beans, and Seeds. Walnuts, almonds, pecans, and peanuts all provide the body with protein and good fat, but in all my research I've found that walnuts are the best for fertility with their protein, good fat, and omega-3s. Great bean choices: black beans & navy beans.
3. Avocado. Good Fats and sooooo delicious!!! If women don't get enough fat in their diet, they can't make enough hormones!
4. Leafy Greens. Raw Spinach is one of the best leafy greens. It contains large amounts of folic acid/folate (preventing neural tube defects and helps with egg development) and iron (preventing anemia in pregnancy when body makes more blood and helps build endometrial lining where egg is implanted).
5. Lemons & Other Citrus Fruits. Antioxidant Bliss! Plus Vitamin C is good for ovulation.
6. Full-Fat Dairy. Much reading from various sources has shown that full-fat dairy such as whole milk, cheeses and yogurt made with whole milk, and even ice cream, increase a woman's chances of conceiving. The more low-fat and non-fat dairy products women eat, the greater their risk of ovulatory infertility.
7. Eggs & Cauliflower. Each of these foods have multiple of benefits, but one lesser known advantage of these is they both contain choline. This, like folic acid, helps prevent neural tube defects which can occur in very early pregnancy (usually before a woman even knows she's pregnant). Choline also helps with the baby's brain function.
I could go into more detail...but I think this is a nice overview of some fertility super foods!
